Merck Partners with Saturnus Bio to Develop Treatments for Rare Genetic Cardiomyopathies
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Merck has entered into a strategic research-stage collaboration with Saturnus Bio, a biotechnology company founded by Versant Ventures, to build a portfolio of therapies for rare genetic cardiomyopathies. The partnership supports Merck’s efforts to address unmet medical needs through targeted treatments for rare diseases.
The collaboration is based on a build-to-buy model and includes an upfront payment of US$50 million from Merck to fund Saturnus Bio’s research activities. Merck will also acquire a minority equity stake in the company and provide additional funding through preclinical milestone payments linked to the progress of new drug candidates.
Under the agreement, Merck will hold exclusive rights to acquire Saturnus Bio through a predetermined option payment, along with additional success-based earnout payments.
The partnership will focus on precision cardiology approaches that use targeted gene modulation to treat rare monogenic cardiomyopathies. These inherited heart diseases represent a significant area of unmet need, as there are currently no approved therapies targeting their underlying genetic causes.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen Merck’s cardiovascular pipeline and expand its presence in rare disease research. By combining Saturnus Bio’s specialised expertise with Merck’s capabilities in advanced technologies and drug development, the companies aim to accelerate the discovery and development of innovative treatments for patients with rare genetic heart conditions.
The agreement also supports Merck’s broader strategy of improving research productivity and advancing programmes with strong scientific and clinical potential, helping to deliver new therapies to patients more efficiently.
Source: businesswire.com
